Tunneling-ram



(No Model.) l 3 sheetsheet 1.

, L. BBBGHBR. y

- `TUNNBLING RAM. No. 413,384. Patented'Oot. 22, 1889.

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(No Model.)

LBBEGHBR. TUNNELINQ RAM.

Patented 0%.'22, 1889.

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TUNNBLING RAM. N o. 413,384. Patented Oct. 224. 1889.

UNITED .STATES LUTHER BEEcI-IEE, or

PATENT OEEICE.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

TUNNELINCl-RAM.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patel-1t No. 4193,384, dated October 22, 1889.

Application filed March 5, 1889. Serial No. 302,026. (No model.) l

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, LUTHER BEECHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tunneling-Rams, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in the art of constructing subaqueous tunnels 5 and the invention primarily consists in the mechanical means and appliances by which I intend to carry out a method of tunneling, for which I have concurrently applied for Letters Patent; and it further consists in the 'peculiar construction of the tunn cling-casing, all as more fully hereinafter described, and shown in the accompany.- ing drawings.

My method of tunneling contemplates the construction of subaqueous tunnels without the necessity of removing the earth, as in the present methods of constructing such tunnels. To this end the way for the tunnel-casing is forced by means of a wedge-shaped bulkhead, or whatI call a tunneling-ram, which slides with a water-tight joint on the construction end of the tunnel-casing, and which is driven Vforward with sufficient power to displace the earth in front of it upwardly, sol as to cover the top of the tunnel, thelatter passing in suitable proximity to and below the bottom of a river or body of water to permit this displacement of the earth. To assist the operation of the tunneling-ram the earth'in front of it, if necessary, is loosened up to the required depth, and stones, rocks, or other obstacles are removed or broken up by the use of explosives. This work is accomplished with the help of a vessel provided with the required outfit and operating in advance of .the tunneling-ram. Plastic packing is used to form a water-tight joint between the casing and the sliding end of the tunneling-ram, and this packing remains permanently on the outside of the casing.

' Devices are provided for steering the tunheling-ram, and other provisions are made to meet contingencies necessitating the temporary use of other modes of tunneling.

In the drawings, Figure lis a vertical crosssection of a tunnel in process of construction in accordance with Vmy invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical central longitudinal section of the construction end thereof. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the tunnel as completed. Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the tunneling-ram on line X X of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a plan athereof. Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of 6o a pla-te of the casing of which I intend to construct my tunnel. Fig. 7 is a cross-section on line Y Y of Fig. 2; and Fig. 8 is a detail crosssection through two plates, showing the construction of the joints.

A are segmental rectangular plates of castiron, smooth on the outside and provided on the edges with inwardly-projecting anges a for bolting the plates endwise and sidewise together to form a tunnel of the desired cross- 7o section. Similar anges' or ribs may be provided centrally to strengthen the plates.

To forni water-tight joints Iprovide all the `plates alike upon their ends' and sides with tenons o and grooves d, whereby in joining the plates together the tenons on one plate will engage into the corresponding grooves in the adjoining plates. The plates are preferably bolted together to break joints, and softmetal gaskets B 'are inserted between the 8o joints. For the purpose I use, preferably, lead plates, through which the bolt-holes are formed by means of a pointed tool, which gradually enlarges the bolt-hole to force the lead into the joint between the ianges around 8 5 the bolt-hole. In addition to this metallic packing, the joints maybe coated with paint, asphalt, coal tar, or any other compound usually used in constructions of this kind. These metallic plates I make of a size and 9o shape convenient for handling and to be readily transported through the interior of the tunnel as its construction advances.

I deem cast-iron to be the most suitable material for constructing the plates; but I do not intend to limit myself to this material alone, or to its exclusive use, for ii' occasion should require or I should deem it expedient I intend to provide the casing with a suitable lining on the inside-such as masonry, terraroo cotta, cement, or other heavy material-or till the openings formed between the flanges of each plate with solid cast-iron blocks, firmly wedged or keyed in as maybe required to give the necessary strength, weight, and stability to the structure and to overcome the buoyancy thereof and the pressure of water upon it.

lVhile building this tunnel on land I proceed, as usual, by excavating the earth, and in lengthening the tunnel I add the sections on top irst to form a protecting-hood, and gradually add plates to the sides and bottom, keeping the top plates always advanced. In building this tunnel under the bed of a river, lake, dac., I proceed after the method described above, by building on the open en'd of the tunnel-casingthe hollow sliding bulk-head or tunneling-ram C, which is wedge-shaped at its forward end and slightly tapering at its rear end and sufiiciently larger than the tunnel to loosely embrace it and form an annular space for packing. This tunneling-ram I construct in asimilar manner of sectional plates, as described for the casing of the tunnel, except that the tapering end is smooth on the inside. The frontedge or wedge-shaped portion I construct, preferably, in a solid manner, and with a movable point or nose D, which is connected by a strong knuckle-joint, which turns on the steel shaft E, and isn solidly backed in circular bearings on the head. This movable nose is adapted to be raised or lowered by. providing it with hydraulic chambers e and j', or with suitable mechanical devices-such as the lever g-adapted to be worked from the inside and having a sufcient amplitude of motion to raise or lower the point 'within the easy grades permissible for. tunnels. The whole point or wedgeshaped portion ofthe tunneling-ram is sol idly constructed of cast-iron or steel to resist the hydraulic pressure exerted against it by a series of hydraulic cylinders F, placed against its bulk-head and disposed near the outside of the shell, and forming a strengthening part thereto, and being integral therewith or forming an innei` lining therefor. The pistons G of these hydraulic cylinders, which correspond in number with the number of plates composing the circle, operate in the longitudinal direction of the ram, and are in a line corresponding with the casing of the tunnel, whereby in operation the force of the piston may be exerted endwise and in a line with the casing or walls of the tunnel, each piston being suitably blocked or abutted against the contiguous portion of the casing or walls of the tunnel to exert a direct thrust upon it when the hydraulic pressure is exerted upon the piston. The hydraulic pressure can be applied for two purposesfirst, for forcing the tunneling-ram the necessary distance ahead to lengthen the tunnel-casing, and, secondly, to force each individual plate into position when the tunnel is lengthened out, as it requires some power'to compress the packing sufciently to make the vtongue-and-groove joints with the softmetal packing between, as described. By

tension G', as shown, they may be readily abutted against the plates. Vhen hydraulic pressure is applied to all the pistons to drive the tunneling-ram the necessary distance forward, allthe plates will be iirmly compacted endwise and sidewise; also, on account of the pressure on the casting and of the slightly-tapering shape of the tunneling ram, the bolts are uniformly tightened on all the joints wherever necessary.

To form a tight joint between the overlapping ends of the tunneling-rain and the casing of the tunnel I compact into the annular space a plastic packing or cement, preferably composed of asphalt, coal-tar, or other bitumen mixed with cement and with a fibrous material-such as tow or old rope-and this packing'is of an adhesive nature and hardens and sets after a while. As the tunneling-rain advances by being forced forward, the packing is compressed onto the casing by the tapering rear end, and is thereby forced into all the joints of the casing and forms an outer protective layer around the tunnel. New packing is added whenever the casing is lengthcned out.

As my method of tunneling contemplates the building of the tunnel just below the bottom of the body of water as nearly as is possible without making too many or abrupt changes in the grade of the tunnel, I raise or lower thehinged nose of the tunneling-ram in aproper degree to steer the tunneling-ram up or down, as required. The power of the hydraulic pistons may also be applied to effeet the steering of the tunneling-ram up or down or to one side or the other by applying the pressure unequally tothe bulk-head.

To effect the lateral steering of the tunneling-ram by mechanical means I provide the latter, near the forward end, with the hinged wings IVI, which fold into suitable recesses provided upon the side of the tunneling-ram and are provided with hydraulic-pressure chambers or other mechanical devices to open them laterally when required to crowd the tunneling-ram to one side or the other.

The advantage obtained by keeping always in the same proximity below the bed of the river or other body of water, or nearly so, is that I thereby make it possible for my tunneling-rain to displace the ground in front thereof upwardly when forced ahead by suitable hydraulic pressure. At the same time the ground is firmly compacted all around and forms a protective layer over the top of the tunnel, which is composed of the solid soil raised up from the bottom of the tunnel, and which may be afterward further compacted from the outside in any suitable manner. The light material--such as silt and other debris usually found on the bottom of rivers, &c.-i's raised up from the bottom to be carried away by the water.

My method of tunneling in close proximity to the bottom of the water permits me to constructing the pistons with the screw-exi simultaneously carry on the operation of loos- IOO IIO

- ening the soil in advance of the tunnelingram. This I carryout by anchoring-a suitable scow, boat, or raft I in advance of the tunneling-ram, which is provided with suitable Amechanical devices to loosen, Work, or puddle the ground in advance of the ram from above, such as by means of suitable tools lowered into the ground to the required depth. B y this operationI also discover any obstacles tothe progress of the tunneling-ram, and remove the same in any suitable manner, s'uch as by means of explosives or other- Wise. This operation of loosening the soilin advance of the tunneling-ram may be entirely accomplished, if desired, by the use of explosives, asin the usual operation of deepening channel-bedsin rock-bottom. By loosening and Working the ground in this manner not only bowlders and other obstacles are discovered, but the work of the tunnelingram becomes atonce possible under all conditions of soil, and, as clayey soil is thereby alongside the casing of the tunnel, slightly.

inclined, so as to pin or hold the tunnel to the bed, and placed in pairs opposite to each other to permit of their being yoked together over the top of the tunnel by suitable crosspieces or iron yokes. This piling may be carried out in advance of the tunnel to guide the tunneling-ram in its operation, in which case the sidel wings for steering are not required.

In the practical construction of my tunnel, I start the subaqueous portion of the tunnel preferably from the bottom of a vertical shaft of suitable size to afford a convenient entrance into the tunnel for lowering the material, and serving also as an air-shaft. On the bottom of this shaft I provide a cistern or well suitable to receive the ordinary leakage or drainage from the tunnel, and from which it may be pumped out. This I cover over with a strong platform in line with the bottom of the intended tunnel, and upon this I begin to, construct my tunneling-ram, projecting out through the sides of the shaft. If necessary, a suitable coffer is constructed outside around the tunneling-ram to protect the shaft against the ingress of Water. i After the tunneling-ram is completed I begin to construct a section of my tunnel-casing in.

allowing `the tunneling-ram to be pushed ahead in the manner intended,V this operation is then proceeded with by forcing water by means of a large force-pumppreferably placed in proximity to thev shaft-into the hydraulic cylinders until the tunneling-ram has advanced the necessary distance required for securing new plates to the tunnelcasing after the pistons are withdrawn into the hydraulic cylinders. By alternatingly driving the tunneling-rain ahead and lengthening the casing, adding to it a new set. of plates all around with the necessary packing to maintain a Water-tight joint, the construction of the tunnel is carried out substantially after the method described.

It is obvious that I intend to avail myself of all the facilities and modern appliances of which engineers in carrying out such conlaying a temporary track inside the tunnel,

for running a truck or trucks thereon to transport the material, the construction of suitable drains and pipe systems t o afford drainage, and to convey tlie'hydrauhc press- -ure into the hydraulic cylinders, and other suitable provisions for lighting, heating, or

\ whatever may be required for the comfort of the Workmen and for expediting the work.y

There may -be sections of work where my method of tunneling is not available or would:

be at a disadvantage compared with other known methods; but it will be an easy mat-A struction generally avail themselves-#such as IOC ter to make suitable provisions in the construction of the tunneling-ram topermit of using excavating machinery applied through` suitable openingsprovided for in the bulkhead. As the nature of the work and the difficulties to be encountered can all be known in advance through a careful survey, which y ought necessarily to precede the commencement of the Work, no contingencies are liable to arrive for which no adequate `provisions.

can be made or which engineering skill is v IIS No claim ismade to the process herein dev scribed, as it forms the subj ect-matter of my application, Serial No. 298,183,1iled January v I2O What I claim as my invention 1s lIn subaqueous tunneling, a tunnelingram provided with a Wedge-shaped bulk-head adapted to displace the ground upwardly,

having a hinged point or nose and forming a.V

water-tight compartment slidingly operating on the head of the tunnel-casing,substan-.

tially as described.

2. In subaqueous tunneling, a tunneling;

ram providedwith a solid bulk-head constructed in the form of a wedge, adapted` to y displace the ground upwardly when pushed through it, and with a movable point or nose for steering it, vsaid tunneling-ram `belng adapted to slidingly operate on the head of the tunnel-casing, and forming a water-tight compartment for extending the tunnel-casing within said tunneling-ram, substantially as described.

3. In subaqueous tunneling, a tunnelingram provided at its front end with a solid bulk-head, having its front face rearwardly inclined from the bottom to the top and having a hinged point or nose and laterally* eXtensible wings, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the casing and tunneling-ram slidingly secured t-hereon and formed with tapered rear end, of the plastic packing applied between the tunneling-ram and casing to form a Water-tight joint, substantially as described.

5. In subaqueous tunneling, the combination, with the casing, of a tunneling-ram provided with a tapering rear end and a plastic packing applied in the annular space between said tapering rear end and the casing of the tunnel, said tunneling-ram forming a water-tight compartment on the head of the casing and provided With means Jfor advancing it to permit of extending the casing Within the tunneling-ram, substantially as described.

6. In subaqueous tunneling, the combination, with a casing constructed of rectangular segmental cast-iron plates smooth on the outside and interiorly ianged on their edges for securing said plates together by bolts, of i,

the tunneling-ram provided with a tapering rear end smooth on the inside and slidingly engaging with the end of the tunnel-casing by means of plastic packing adapted to form a permanent covering on the outside of the tunnel-casing, substantially as described.

7. In subaqueous tunneling, the combination of a tunneLcasing consisting of rectangular segmental iron plates adapted to be interiorly bolted together With intervening gaskets by means of interior anges provided with corresponding tongues and grooves, a tunneling-ram provided with a solid bulkhead wedge-shaped at its outer face and with a tapering rear end sliding on the head ot' the casing, with a water-tight joint formed of a plastic material adapted to form a permanent covering on the outside of the tunnelcasing, and a series of hydraulic rams grouped around the inner wall of said tunneling-ram and adapted to operate with their pistons against the inner ends of the plates of the casing to force the same in place and advvance the tunneling-ram, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence ot two witnesses, this 22d day of December, 1888.

LUTHER BEECHER.

Witnesses:

J. PAUL MAYER, P. M. HULBERT. 

